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What Do We Mean by Spirituality?

Nancy Gordon

 

What do we mean by spirituality? Spirituality can include religious faith and practices, but can also be experienced and understood in non-religious ways as well. A definition that I like is:

Spirituality is the aspect of humanity that refers to the way individuals seek and express meaning and purpose and the way they experience their connectedness to the moment, to self, to others, to nature and to the significant or sacred (emphasis mine).*

I like this definition because it speaks to two essential processes of the spiritual journey of aging—continuing to find meaning and purpose in living and staying connected and engaged with oneself, others, and the larger world. This definition also lends itself to some basic questions we can seek to answer with the older adults we serve: Can they articulate what brings them meaning and purpose? If they can, how can we support those activities or beliefs? If they can’t, are there experiences or relationships that we could invite them to that would help them find an answer to that question? And are there ways in the programs that we develop to help elders continue to build new and meaningful connections with others, themselves and the wider world?

When we view our services to older adults through the lenses of “meaning and purpose” and “connectedness” we can bring supporting the spiritual journey of aging into everything we do. This definition also helps us to take spirituality out of the realm of the ambiguous and amorphous into the realm of practical practices and programs.

And because, I believe that all of us who work with older adults need to be attending to our own spiritual journey of aging, it also provides us with some questions for reflection. What is bringing meaning and purpose to my life? And how are my connections to the moment, to self, to others, to nature and to the significant or sacred doing? As we wrestle with these questions for ourselves and with those we serve we will find all sorts of creative ways to support the spiritual journey of aging.

 

* Definition from Consensus Conference: Improving the Quality of Spiritual Care as a Dimension of Palliative Care, held Feb. 17-18, 2009, Pasadena, CA. Sponsored by the Archstone Foundation.

 

Nancy Gordon has been the director of the California Lutheran Homes Center for Spirituality and Aging since June, 2008. Previously she worked in libraries and historical agencies until attending seminary in mid-life. She is ordained in the Evangelical Covenant Church and has served as associate pastor of Winnetka Covenant Church in Wilmette, IL and as director of Growth Opportunities at Friendship Village of Schaumburg, IL. To learn more about CLH Center for Spirituality and Aging, visit their website: spiritualityandaging.org.

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On Being Taken for a Ride

A lawyer and a senior citizen are sitting next to each other on a long flight.

The lawyer is thinking that seniors are so dumb that he could get one over on them easily.

 

So, the lawyer asks if the senior would like to play a fun game. The senior is tired and just wants to take a nap, so he politely declines and tries to catch a few winks.

The lawyer persists, saying that the game is a lot of fun….”I ask you a question, and if you don’t know the answer, you pay me only $5.00. Then you ask me one, and if I don’t know the answer, I will pay you $500.00,” he says.

This catches the senior’s attention and, to keep the lawyer quiet, he agrees to play the game.

 

The lawyer asks the first question. “What’s the distance from the Earth to the Moon?”

The senior doesn’t say a word, but reaches into his pocket, pulls out a five-dollar bill, and hands it to the lawyer.

 

Now, it’s the senior’s turn. He asks the lawyer, “What goes up a hill with three legs, and comes down with four?”

The lawyer uses his laptop to search all references he can find on the web. He sends emails to all the smart friends he knows…all to no avail. After an hour of searching, he finally gives up. He wakes the senior and hands him $500.00. The senior pockets the $500.00 and goes right back to sleep.

The lawyer is going nuts not knowing the answer. He wakes the senior up and asks, “Well, so what goes up a hill with three legs and comes down with four?”

The senior reaches into his pocket, hands the lawyer $5.00, and goes back to sleep.

 

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GOOD VISION IN A DOWNPOUR

Some good advice

 

How to achieve good vision while driving during a heavy downpour.

We are not sure why it is so effective; just try this method when it rains heavily. This method was given me by a Police friend who had experienced and confirmed it. It is useful—even driving at night. This method has been used by Canadian Military Drivers for years.

Most motorists turn their wipers on high or to the fastest speed during heavy downpour, yet the visibility in front of the windshield is still bad.

In the event you face such a situation, just try your sunglasses (any model will do), and miracle! All of a sudden, visibility in front of the windshield is perfectly clear, as if there is no rain.

Make sure you always have a pair of sunglasses in your car. You’re not only helping yourself to drive safely with good vision, but also might save your friend’s life by sharing this. Try it yourself and share it with your friends!

It’s amazing: you still see the drops on the windshield, but not the sheet of rain falling. You can see where the rain bounces off the road. It works to eliminate the “blindness” from passing semi’s spraying you. Or the “kickup” if you are following a semi or car in the rain. They ought to teach that little tip in driver’s training. It really does work.

 

This next warning is a another good one! I wonder how many people know about this:

A 36 year old female had an accident and totaled her car. A resident of Ontario, Canada was traveling between Kinburn & Ottawa. It was raining, though not excessively, when her car suddenly began to hydro-plane and literally flew through the air. She was not seriously injured but very stunned!

When she explained to the officer what had happened he told her something that every driver should know: never drive in the rain with your cruise control on. She thought she was being cautious by setting the cruise control and maintaining a safe, consistent speed in the rain. But the officer told her that if the cruise control is on when your car begins to hydro-plane and your tires lose contact with the pavement, your car will accelerate to a higher rate of speed, making you take off like an airplane. She told the officer that was exactly what had occurred.

The officer said this warning should be listed, on the driver’s seat sun-visor: never use the cruise control when the pavement is wet or icy. We tell our teenagers to set the cruise control and drive a safe speed–but we don’t tell them to use the cruise control only when the pavement is dry.

 

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For the Airplane Drivers

 

A priest dies and is waiting in line at the Pearly Gates. Ahead of him is a guy who’s dressed in sunglasses, a loud shirt, leather jacket, and jeans.

Saint Peter addresses the cool guy, ‘Who are you, so that I may know whether or not to admit you to the Kingdom of Heaven?’

The guy replies, ‘I’m Jack, retired airline pilot from Houston.’

Saint Peter consults his list. He smiles and says to the pilot, ‘Take this silken robe and golden staff and enter the Kingdom.’

The pilot goes into Heaven with his robe and staff.

Next, it’s the priest’s turn. He stands erect and booms out ‘I’m Father Bob, pastor of Saint Mary’s for the last 43 years.’

Saint Peter consults his list. He says to the priest, ‘Take this cotton robe and wooden staff and enter the Kingdom.’

‘Just a minute,’ says the good father. ‘That man was a pilot and he gets a silken robe and golden staff and I get only cotton and wood. How can this be?’

‘Up here, we go by results,’ says Saint Peter. ‘When you preached – people slept. When he flew – people prayed.’

 

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A Quiz for Bright People

With Only 9 Questions

 

This is a quiz for people who know everything! These are not trick questions. They are straight questions with straight answers.

 

1. Name the one sport in which neither the spectators nor the participants know the score or the leader until the contest ends.

2. What famous North American landmark is constantly moving backward?

3. Of all vegetables, only two can live to produce on their own for several growing seasons. All other vegetables must be replanted every year. What are the only two perennial vegetables?

4. What fruit has its seeds on the outside?

5. In many liquor stores, you can buy pear brandy, with a real pear inside the bottle. The pear is whole and ripe, and the bottle is genuine; it hasn’t been cut in any way. How did the pear get inside the bottle?

6. Only three words in standard English begin with the letters ‘dw’, and they are all common words. Name two of them.

7. There are 14 punctuation marks in English grammar. Can you name at least half of them?

8. Name the only vegetable or fruit that is never sold frozen, canned, processed, cooked, or in any other form except fresh.

9. Name six or more things that you can wear on your feet beginning with the letter ‘S’.

 

No looking below for the answers before you’ve thought it over for a minute or so…

 

Answers:

1. The one sport in which neither the spectators nor the participants know the score or the leader until the contest ends: Boxing.
2. North American landmark constantly moving backward: Niagara Falls. (The rim is worn down about two and a half feet each year because of the millions of gallons of water that rush over it every minute.)
3. Only two vegetables that can live to produce on their own for several growing seasons: Asparagus and rhubarb.
4. The fruit with its seeds on the outside: Strawberry.
5. How did the pear get inside the brandy bottle? It grew inside the bottle. The bottles are placed over pear buds when they are small, and are wired in place on the tree. The bottle is left in place for the entire growing season. When the pears are ripe, they are snipped off at the stems.
6. Three English words beginning with dw: Dwarf, dwell, and dwindle.
7. Fourteen punctuation marks in English grammar: Full stop, comma, colon, semicolon, dash, hyphen, apostrophe, question mark, exclamation mark, quotation mark, brackets, parenthesis, braces, and ellipses.
8. The only vegetable or fruit never sold frozen, canned, processed, cooked, or in any other form but fresh: Lettuce.
9. Six or more things you can wear on your feet beginning with ‘S’: Shoes, socks, sandals, sneakers, slippers, skis, skates, snowshoes, stockings, stilts.

 

This quiz has been circulating around the internet, you may have seen it pass by in honor of Mental Health Awareness. World Mental Health Day is October 10, 2011. For more information, visit the World Health Organization website. 

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Becoming Aware of the Fleeting Clouds of Life

cloudsJodi Detrick

 

I’m always amazed at the creative ways people come up with to make a buck. Through the years, I’ve bought my share of household gadgets (It slices! It dices! It cleans itself and brings you pancakes in bed!) that didn’t quite live up to the hawker’s claims.

With the economy still being so iffy these days, I have my own brilliant notion for a moneymaker. You know those ads that come out every holiday season, urging you to name a star after your loved one? Star Registries, they’re called. Being a true Pacific Northwesterner, my own entrepreneurial spinoff plan has a distinctive regional flair. My new perfect gift idea? Wait for it … wait for it … Cloud Registries! Ta-daaaa!

Where we live, it makes perfect sense, doesn’t it? I can hear the radio spot now: For only $49.95 you can have a cloud named after your loved one! What better way to show you care than to put their name up in the air! My paying customers will receive their own laminated picture of an authentic Pacific Northwest cloud with their name, like Shirley or Edna, printed across the top. (I would do picture frames but, hey, this is a startup. Gotta watch those production costs.)

Just when I think this scheme could secure our retirement, my practical husband points out to me the transitory nature of clouds. I’m not sure why that should matter. Most people never even actually see the exact stars that are supposed to bear their names. Here, we are almost always guaranteed a view of plenty of clouds, no telescope required. So what if the Ralph or Betty clouds don’t stick around for long. I learned in the fifth grade about the rain cycle and how the same water is reused to make new clouds over and over again. My business idea is green from the start!

OK, I’ll take my tongue out of my cheek and give the Cloud Registry idea a rest. It’s ridiculous for people to spend hard-earned money on something that is here one minute and evaporates (or drips away) the next. Yet in some ways, I see people doing that all around me, every day. In fact, I am guilty of it.

The Bible asks an important question in Isaiah 55:2: Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? After all, we trade our time and labor for money.

So, when I pour all my efforts into building a career while, night after night, my kids press their noses and their longing up against a window, waiting vainly for me to come home (or to be present when I am home), am I not buying a cloud? When I can’t remember the last meaningful conversation I had with my spouse or my friend but I can tell you details about all the characters from my favorite reality-TV shows, am I not overpaying dearly for an evaporating mist? And when I invest my resources in chasing leisure and acquiring things, yet never quite find time or energy to pursue faith — to investigate the claims of Christ or gather with those who are serious about their spiritual journey — could I be spending extravagant chunks of life on (as the Isaiah verse says) that which does not satisfy?

Interestingly enough, another verse (James 4:14) uses a cloud analogy to describe how short human life is and how we need to consult God’s will before glibly making our own plans: For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.

We don’t have to buy clouds — we are clouds, when it comes to how quickly life passes. Just ask any 80-somethings and they’ll tell you it seems like yesterday they were your age. With that in mind, I think I’ll try to stay out of the cloud selling, and buying, business.

 

Jodi Detrick, MACM, is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God and Chairperson for the Network for Women in Ministry. A religion columnist for The Seattle Times she has written for many different publications. Jodi earned a master’s degree from Assemblies of God Theological Seminary where she is currently in a doctoral program. 

Copyright © The Seattle Times Company


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chess Is your closet running low on board games? 

 

A company in California has recently come out with a game that’s as accessible as logging in to Facebook.

Incorporating high production quality, music, graphics, effects and the newest Facebook social features while telling the story of a very important historical figure, Hexify has developed a new game, Journey of Moses, to meet a void in the market for a biblically based game.

“Weaving throughout ancient Egypt and the Middle East, the Journey of Moses is a fun, immersive adventure game, complete with complex characters, engaging quests, puzzles and mysteries,” said Brent Dusing, CEO of Hexify. “Whether you already play social games or you are interested in the story of Moses, we believe we have created a game that everyone can enjoy.”

Players will experience the many twists and turns as they explore milestones in the life of Moses – from growing up in the king’s house as an Egyptian to his exile in the wilderness. Then, after an encounter at the burning bush–spoiler alert!–Moses’ life is changed and he eventually leads the Israelites out of Pharaoh’s rule.

Journey of Moses, like many other social games, provides a forum for community, entertainment and gaming with friends. The game is free to play, though as with other Facebook games, players can purchase goods along the way to help enhance their experience.

 

About the company: out of a passion for games, Dusing and Chief Technical Officer Preston Tollinger started Hexify, Inc. in 2010. Already well-known within Silicon Valley, Tollinger and Dusing quickly built a brand and credibility among the social gaming industry. The Journey of Moses is Hexify’s third Facebook adventure game.

To find out more about the game visit the Hexify website Journey of Moses page. To play the game visit: http://apps.facebook.com/journeyofmoses/.

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Rewire Your Brain for Change

 by Dr. Keith E. Webb

“You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” We all know how difficult it is to change. We get set in our ways.  Neuroscientists used to explain our difficulty in learning “new tricks” by saying the brain didn’t change during adulthood. Our brains, they thought, are wired to do what we’ve always done. New research shows our brains can change. We can rewire them. Your brain is like a circuit board with impulses shooting from neuron to neuron along pathways called synapses.

Let’s try it. If I say “chocolate,” what came to mind? “Yumm!” “Let’s eat.” “Where can I get some?” The thought of chocolate started in one neuron and shot across a synapse to your response neuron. Synapses are like muscles, the more you use them and the bigger they grow.

The trouble is, our thinking forms ruts—like deep ruts in a road. When the synaptic pathway is well-formed it’s difficult to respond in a different way—like trying to steer a car out of ruts.

The solution, neuroscientists say, is to form new pathways, and strengthen and enlarge those preferred thoughts. In other words, change your mind and literally grow your brain.

The Bible told us as much. The Greek word for repent means “to change one’s mind.” “Do not conform to any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2a).

 

“Stop It!” Doesn’t work.

When you focus on stopping doing something, you are still sending impulses along the old pathway, strengthening it further. The more you focus on that pathway, even negative attention, the stronger it grows. Thus, making change all the more difficult.

 

From… To…

Again, the Bible helps, look at the pattern of turning from something to something better: “You were taught…to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds, and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22

The pattern is significant. Move from what you want to change, to how you want to be. The key is to focus on the new thought or behavior to strengthen that new neural pathway. Or as the Bible says, renew your mind.

 

3 Steps to Change and Grow Your Brain

1.   Recognize: What thought or behavior would you like to change? What do you want to move from? What reasons do you have to change at all? Why change now?

2.   Refocus: What would you like to change it to? Be specific. What would it look like? How will you know when you have achieved it?

3.   Revalue: What benefits will you receive from the new? What will change? How will you feel? What will make this change worth it?

Change means renewing your mind: starting with making a decision to move from something, then focusing attention to a new way of being until that new way forms a strong pathway.

 

Dr. Keith E. Webb is a trainer and experienced cross-cultural leadership coach helping non-profit organizations, teams, and individuals multiply their cross-cultural impact. Find free articles at www.CreativeResultsManagement.com. 

Copyright © 2010 Keith E. Webb & CRM

 

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Did you know that at military funerals, the 21-gun salute stands for the sum of the numbers in the year 1776?

(One may find slight variations on this topic, but the following is generally accepted as a common description of folding the American flag.)

All Americans should be given a lesson on the significance of our flag draped over the coffin of one who served the country. Those who think that the United States of America is an arrogant nation should really reconsider. The founding fathers used God’s Word and Christian teachings to establish the nation, and it is time Americans are reminded of this nation’s history.

Take the time to read this, to understand what the flag draped over the coffin really means, the flag that is surrendered to so many widows and widowers. Pass this message along and be proud of the country we live in, and even more proud of those who serve to protect our God given rights and freedoms.

Have you ever noticed how the honor guard pays meticulous attention to correctly folding the American flag 13 times? You may have thought it was to symbolize the original 13 colonies, but we learn something new every day.

The 1st fold of the flag is a symbol of life.

The 2nd fold is a symbol of the belief in eternal life.

The 3rd fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing the ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of the country to attain peace throughout the world.

The 4th fold represents the weaker nature; as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in time of war for His divine guidance.

The 5th fold is a tribute to the country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, “Our Country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong.”

The 6th fold is for where people’s hearts lie. It is with their heart that they pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America , and the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.

The 7th fold is a tribute to our armed forces, for it is through the armed forces that we protect our country and our flag against all enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.

The 8th fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor our mother, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day.

The 9th fold is a tribute to womanhood, for it has been through their faith, their love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great has been molded.

The 10th fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of their country since they were first born.

The 11th fold in the eyes of Hebrew citizens, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

The 12th fold represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in the Christian’s eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.

The 13th fold, when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding them of their nation’s motto, “In God We Trust.”

After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the sailors and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for them the rights, privileges and freedoms they enjoy today.

There are some traditions and ways of doing things that have deep meaning. In the future when you see flags folded, you will know a little more. So, share this with the children you love, and all others who love the symbol of liberty and freedom.

Taken from Wikipedia and other sources, including Charles F. Hamblen, American Legion Post 37, Department of Florida. See also a website dedicated to the American flag (http://www.usflag.org/foldflag.html)

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We Want an Encore!

by Chris Holck

I have come to the conclusion that it is best for me to erase the term “Senior,” as in Senior Citizen, from my vocabulary. If society agrees with me, the ramifications are many! We have senior centers, senior moments, senior living, senior menus, senior adult pastors and ministries, and the beloved senior discounts. The Builder Generation (born before 1946) may embrace the term but they are never offended if I don’t refer to them by it. On the other hand, if I refer to the new wave of retiring Americans, Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) as seniors, I better get ready to duck. The only thing they like about the title “senior” is the discount. So, I call them “older adults.” They, or I (I am 53), may not like the term “older” but it’s better than “senior” and no one has come up with anything better, so, “older adult ministries” is their brand. Fortunately, the Evangelical Free Church has come up with a fresh new brand: EFCA Encore.

The mental picture of a musical encore fits well with Christians in their second half of life. They would say that, just like a good concert, life has been good because God is good, and they don’t necessarily want either to be over. They want more, they want an encore. And just like in a concert, they hope that the best has been saved for last. Christians entering, or those already in their second half of life trust that God has saved the best for last. I spoke with a retiree in Texas who loves his volunteer work in a juvenile prison. “I’ve never enjoyed what I do more!”

People today are living longer and healthier than the generations before them and they have received a lifetime of Christian training from sermons, Bible studies, Christian radio and TV.  What are they going to do with those talents? The Bible is clear in Matthew 25:29 that, “For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”

A wave of older adults is about to retire, semi-retire or at least become empty nesters. They have more discretionary time to give. The best saved for last allows for travel and relaxation, but a true encore would mean using their talents for the glory of God. The notion of seniors biding their time on rocking chairs is out—we may be older adults, but we’re not done yet. We want an encore!

 

Chris Holck has served in three Evangelical Free Churches between 1986–2008. Chris’ interest in older adult ministry was sparked while serving in his last church, which was located in a resort area. He found a new challenge in connecting to and folding in the seasonal attenders or “snow birds” who fly north for the summer. Read more at encoregeneration.wordpress.com.

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